Paraphimosis (par-uh-fye-MOE-sis) is when the foreskin gets stuck behind the head (tip) of the penis. This cuts off blood flow and can damage the penis. The health care provider moved the foreskin back in place. Sometimes that means making a small cut in the foreskin. Here's what to do at home to help your child's penis heal and prevent future problems.

Until the foreskin heals:

• It should not be pulled back. Pulling the foreskin back before it is healed may cause pain, bleeding, or scarring.
• The penis should be gently washed with warm water every day.
• If the health care provider made a cut in the foreskin that must be covered with a bandage, use a new, clean bandage after each wash.
• If the health care provider recommended ointments to put on the foreskin, follow the directions exactly.
• Teens should not masturbate or have sex until the area has healed.

When the foreskin has healed:

• It should never be forced back.
• If the foreskin moves easily, it should gently be pulled back before peeing and during bathing to clean and dry the head of the penis. Afterward, it should be pulled forward to its normal place (covering the head of the penis).
• Teens should also know to move the foreskin back in place after masturbation or sex.

Your child:

• has redness, pus, pain, or bleeding around the foreskin or head of the penis
• has trouble peeing
• develops a fever

• Your child can't pee.
• Your child's foreskin is pulled back and won't go forward over the tip of the penis.
• The head of the penis is swollen, very painful, or has any change in skin color.

What causes paraphimosis? Paraphimosis can happen whenever the foreskin gets pulled back and left there. This may happen after cleaning, peeing, using a catheter, masturbation, or sex. It can also happen in males with genital piercings.

Do those who are circumcised get paraphimosis? Yes, it can happen if the circumcision did not remove the whole foreskin. Completely removing the foreskin can keep paraphimosis from happening again.